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By Tau Shanklin Roberts, Ian Arzeni, and Razia Kimani

The U.S. National Strategy for Counterterrorism requires the U.S. to broaden its range of partners to combat violent extremism, encourage capable partners to play a larger role in counterterrorism and assist other partners so that they can eventually address terrorist threats independently.

In East Africa, where the threat of violent extremism has grown steadily, the U.S. has carried out this mission by building the Intergovernmental Authority for Development’s (IGAD’s) Center of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (the Center). The Center is located in Djibouti and is a regional hub for preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE). The first of its kind on the African continent, the Center brings together government, academic, civil society, business and religious leaders to share best practices and promote partnerships. The Center’s founding Director Simon Nyambura believes that defeating the network of violent extremists requires a network approach, and he envisions the Center creating and strengthening such a network. Since 2015, the Center has operated as a platform for IGAD and its member states—Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda—plus Tanzania, to conduct P/CVE-related training, dialogue and research. The Center boasts staff from five of the seven IGAD member states.

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